Questions for week Sept 6th - 12th

Sabotage
Part 2
Relationship Grenades


1) Just for Fun: In honor of Labor Day, when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

2) Have you ever had a relationship in your life that was sabotaged by something either you or someone else did?

3) Read Phil. 2:3-4. We have many opportunities to live life with one another and care for each other. Tell about a time when you looked out for the interests of another person.

• Did your attitude have any effect on how much you cared?
• How did caring for others make a difference in your relationships?

4) Read Philippians 2:7-8. What does Paul tell us about what Jesus chose to do?

• What does it mean that Jesus he gave up his divine privileges (v.7)?
  
• In what ways did Jesus take on the nature of a servant? What are the characteristics of being a servant?
  
• How does Jesus illustrate the teaching of Philippians 2:3-4?
  
• What does Paul mean when he says that Jesus became obedient to death, even death on a cross? Was there a limit to Christ’s obedience?
  
• Have you ever considered that Jesus could have come as a “demanding king” instead of as a “humble servant”? How would your response to Him be different if that was how he came?
  

 5) Of the 4 relationship grenades listed below, which one have you experienced the most, whether on the giving or receiving side?

• Competing Desires
• Ego/Pride
• Constant Criticism
• Not Making Christ our Priority and Focus

6) What aspects of Jesus’ attitude would you, on your own, like to work on this week? Some examples might be:

• Empty yourself of you ... become humble.
  
• Become more obedient to God and His will in your life.
  
• Allow God to be glorified in your life through everything that you do. 

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Questions for week August 30th - March 5th

Sabotage
The Law of Inversion


1) Just for fun: School is back in session, who was your favorite teacher growing up and why?

2) Have you ever had a relationship in your life that was sabotaged by something either you or someone else did?

3) What kind of things does the problem of pride produce in our relationships? In other words, what are some of the things that happen in a relationship that pride is responsible for?

4) Has there been a time in your life where you practiced the law of inversion and saw the benefits of it? (The law of inversion is not seeking your happiness first, but seeking the happiness others first. It is going against what is natural to us- thinking of others before thinking of ourself.)

5) How much credibility would we as followers of Christ have with unchurched people if we lived the law of inversion more?


Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report Form found here.

Questions for week Aug 23rd - 29th

Life Is Better Connected

Since this Sunday wasn't your usually sermon, for your life group question time, we suggest going through some of the questions from Quitters. The links are provided below.

Aug 2nd // Quitting on Excuses

Aug 9th // Quit Complaining

Aug 16th // Quit Comparing


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Questions for week Aug 16th - 22nd

Quit Comparing
Part 3

1) Just for Fun: Who was your favorite school teacher and why?

2) Read Ecclesiastes 4:4-8. 

• Why is envy such a bad thing? 
• What's one of the biggest things in your life that you usually get envious about in others' lives?
• Why is envy such a successful motivator in peoples lives?
• Why do so many people search for happiness and meaning in acquiring material wealth? Does wealth satisfy man's need for meaning, or does it, too, leave one feeling empty?
• Compare Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 with Matthew 6:19-21. What does God consider valuable? What do you think it means to store up treasures in heaven?

3) Read Colossians 3:23.

• Have you ever had a difficult time doing a job-well-done because of whom you were working for?
• How does knowing that you are ultimately working for the Lord change the way you do your work? 

  4) The enemy learned long ago that he didn’t necessarily need to destroy us; he just needed to distract us.  A huge way he does this is by allowing us to view someone else’s life, and then compare ours to it. 

• What are some of his chief tools he uses to do this? (Social media, magazines, etc.) 
• How can you stop the infiltration of these tools and tactics?

5) Read Hebrews 1:1-3 Keeping our eyes on Jesus is key to becoming like him and thereby fulfilling our purpose in life. How do these verses say we can de-clutter our lives and focus on Jesus? 

6) What is the biggest change that will take place in your life when you totally live for an audience of One (no longer worrying about what others think of you, only what God knows about you)?

Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report form found here.

Questions for week Aug 9th - 15th

Quitting on Complaining
Quitters Part 2


1) Just for fun: School is getting ready to start back, who was your favorite school teacher and why?

2) In the midst of all our luxuries and conveniences, amazingly, we still find things to complain about.

• When do you find yourself complaining the most, and what do you complain about?
• Do you enjoy being in the company of a “complainer”? Why or why not? 

3) Read Philippians 2:14-17

• What reasons does Paul give for doing everything without complaining or arguing?
• Based on Paul’s command, how do you conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel in a world full of conflict and strife?
• Does Paul’s command mean that we are always supposed to agree with one another? 
• Does Paul’s command mean that we can’t fill out a complaint card?
• What are the differences between complaining, constructive criticism and critical thinking? Does it have anything to do with our motives and the way we go about voicing our differences?
• When you feel like complaining, what can you do to remind yourself of Paul’s command? 

4) Do you know people who are not happy unless they have something to complain about? What is the deeper issue of their life? 

5) How does complaining and arguing affect our standing before God?

6) How does complaining and arguing affect our standing before men, especially non-believers?

7) What does it mean to live a life that shines like a star? Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 13:43, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Isaiah 60:1-3. 

Challenge-
In what ways are you tempted to complain and argue? Pray about ways that you can overcome those temptations and think about ways that you can be accountable to each other to be victorious in this area of your life. 


Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report form found here.

Questions for week August 2nd - 8th

Quitting on Excuses
Quitters Part 1


1) Just for fun: If you could have dinner with a movie star (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

2) Pastor Mark started off this message by asking the question, What do you wish was different about your life? For most of us there is probably quite a few things we would like to be different. 

• Share with the group one of those things. 
• Why do you feel like this one thing has not changed for you?

3) Philippians 2:13 says For God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 

• How does “your working” and “God’s working” relate? Does that give you any encouragement to do the work of God vs. your work? Why?
• There are two dangers related associated with this. The first is to try to act without God’s empowerment, and the second is to not act at all. Describe the drawbacks of each. 

4) Read Exodus 4:10-12 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

• What next steps do you think you need take to stop making excuses?
• Which of those steps are things you cannot do without God’s grace? In what ways do you need to trust God to do what you cannot do?
• How would your life be different if you stopped making excuses and started obeying God?
• What are some of the things holding you back from totally relying on God in every area of life?
• To become the person God created you to be, what do you need to start doing? What do you need to stop doing?

Next steps to encourage your group:

Make a list of things you know you can do and the things you cannot do. Take your list and pray over it. Ask God to help you with the things you cannot do and commit to placing your full trust in Him. Keep your list in a place where you can refer to it often and update it when God comes through for you and helps you accomplish those things you could not do.

Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report form found here.

Questions for week July 26th - Aug 1st

Bold Obedience

1) Just for fun: If you could be in the movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play?

2) How did God speak to you through this sermon?

3) Read Acts 5:18-29. In this passage we learn that bold obedience releases God’s power in our lives.  The Apostles were boldly obedient to preach the word and God used them to heal people, do miracles, and even set them free miraculously while in prison.  How has God unleashed His power in your life when you have stepped out in bold obedience?  Are there some areas where you are struggling with being obedient?

4) Many people believe that if you are obedient to God you will not face persecution or hard times, such as relationship problems, job loss, social persecution, or health problems.  But scripture plainly teaches this is not the case. Pastor Mark made this statement- When God gets ready to do something great through you, you can count on great opposition coming to you. How does that statement make you feel in light of what John 15:20-21 says?

5) Read Acts 5:27-29. The Apostles say it is better to please God than man.  Do you find this truth difficult to implement in your life?  For example, are you often disobeying God out of fear of what others may think?

6) The Apostles were able to be obedient because of their faith in God.  In contrast, we read in Hebrews 3:19 the people of Israel were not able to enter into God’s promise because of their unbelief which led to their disobedience.  Is unbelief preventing you from bold obedience to God?  If so in what way?


Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report form found here.